Go prepared to teach, not to rely on TV or movies. Prepare an group of appropriate lesson plans to take with you, just in case the teacher for whom you are substituting left in an emergency and did not have time to leave one. It never happened to me but knowing you are prepared just in case, makes your teaching day much easier.

The entire staff, from Principal to everyone I met who worked there, were dedicated first to the students, then to their job duties. It was wonderful to work in an atmosphere that was so focused on doing our best for the kids.